Working Outdoors.
How to populate an outdoor office space all year round? How to stimulate healthy working routines and collaboration?
Considering the outdoor space as a complement to the indoor area to design a testbed which could function as an outdoor ‘office’ with a focus on well-being.
Wish for an Outdoor Office
The brief was to develop a concept for a science park’s outdoor area located on a university campus. Our partners expressed a clear wish to establish one of Sweden’s first outdoor offices.
“I like being outside during breaks, but the sun makes working on a laptop very difficult
.”
Interviewing and Observing Working Routines
Process of Uncovering the Tenants’ Needs
In this project we started with the space and how people make use of it. There was a clear longing to be more outdoors during working hours and at the same time a strong concern of the value of an outdoor office. What kind of work is possible outside? How can a space be populated all year round? How do collaborations start? Mostly with conversations - casually during a coffee break. Small unscheduled breaks, micro breaks, became a central element of the ongoing work focusing on working routines and well-being.
Space Proposal with Co-Creative Moments
The outdoor space was considered a complement to the indoor area. Hence, incorporating core elements of the science park’s identity were key - namely collaboration and innovation. The final proposal framed the designated area as an outdoor testbed for working conditions. Static as well as seasonal elements complement and activate each other. Determining the seasonal parts was designed as a co- creative act using an “Outdoor Space Board”. An exhibition introduced the approach and concept to a broader audience.
Lessons Learned: Changing working habits and developing new (healthy) routines takes time. Every small step is an achievement.
Next Steps: Collaborate with architects, the science park’s community manager and the community to (co-) create the outdoor space.
Collaborators: Iryna Prokhorenko, Lena Frank, Paulina Edström Lundell and our partners Marie Joelsson from Akademiska Hus and Adam Vernham from Chalmersfastigheter
Pictures: Lena Frank, Jessica Litzel